Describe the basic structure of a MOSFET in terms of its terminals and the insulating layer.

A MOSFET consists of a semiconductor channel between drain and source terminals, with a gate terminal separated from the channel by a thin metal-oxide insulating layer.

What is the function of the drain terminal in a MOSFET?

The drain is the terminal through which charge carriers leave the channel.

Define the source terminal in a MOSFET.

The source is the terminal through which charge carriers enter the channel.

What role does the gate terminal play in a MOSFET?

The gate controls the conductivity of the channel by the application of a voltage.

What does VDS represent in MOSFET terminology?

VDS is the voltage between the drain and source terminals.

Define VGS for a MOSFET.

VGS is the voltage between the gate and source terminals.

AQA A-Level Physics 7408

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Electronics

MOSFET (metal-oxide semiconducting field-effect transistor)

3 things to know
Paper 3, section B

Overview

The gate, source and drain, the threshold voltage, and using a MOSFET as a switch.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What do the gate and source terminals do, and what does VDS mean?

Key term

Why does an N-channel enhancement MOSFET not conduct at zero gate voltage?

Numbers

How does drain current behave in the linear region of MOSFET operation?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
Describe the basic structure of a MOSFET in terms of its terminals and the insulating layer.
Model answer
A MOSFET consists of a semiconductor channel between drain and source terminals, with a gate terminal separated from the channel by a thin metal-oxide insulating layer.
2
What is the function of the drain terminal in a MOSFET?
Model answer
The drain is the terminal through which charge carriers leave the channel.
3
Define the source terminal in a MOSFET.
Model answer
The source is the terminal through which charge carriers enter the channel.
4
What role does the gate terminal play in a MOSFET?
Model answer
The gate controls the conductivity of the channel by the application of a voltage.
5
What does VDS represent in MOSFET terminology?
Model answer
VDS is the voltage between the drain and source terminals.
6
Define VGS for a MOSFET.
Model answer
VGS is the voltage between the gate and source terminals.

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